Method for predicting ink consumption

ABSTRACT

A system and method relates to an ink volume determination for determining the amount of ink to be applied by the printer. The ink volume determination involves generating a composite cylinder layout of at least one image for the engraved cylinder, generating a set of data corresponding to the composite cylinder layout and then using the set of data to determine the volume of ink. The printer is then filled with a volume of ink related to this calculated ink volume during a printing process. The method of determining ink volume may be used independently of the printing process, for example, in order to control or manage the amount of ink used in the printing press.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of predicting ink consumption in agravure printing process. Such a process may use an electro-mechanicallyengraved gravure printing cylinder; for example, a gravure printingcylinder which has been engraved in accordance with the method disclosedin . .copending.!. application, Ser. No. 08/022,127, filed Feb. 25,1993.Iadd., and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,845.Iaddend.. Suchprinting cylinders are engraved by an engraving head comprising adiamond stylus carried by a holder mounted on an arm projecting from atorsionally oscillated shaft. A sine wave driving signal is applied to apair of opposed electromagnets to rotate the shaft through an arc ofapproximately 0.25° at a frequency in the neighborhood of about 3,000 to5,000 Hz.

A video signal is added to the sine wave driving signal for urging theoscillating stylus into contact with the printing cylinder therebyengraving a series of controlled depth cells in the surface thereof. Theprinting cylinder rotates in synchronism with the oscillating movementof the stylus while a lead screw arrangement produces axial movement ofthe engraving head so that the engraving head comes into engravingcontact with the printing surface of the printing cylinder. The systemhas setup controls for quickly and easily setting up the engraving headto engrave cells of precisely controlled dimensions in the surface of agravure printing cylinder.

When such a printing cylinder is used in a gravure printing process, inkwill be applied in an amount which is related to the total volume of allof the cells which have been so engraved. This is likewise true forgravure printing processes using printing cylinders which have beenengraved by other engraving techniques. Regardless of the particularengraving technique which is used, it has been common lo engraveconnecting channels between cells having a depth which is greater thansome predetermined amount. This has complicated the task of predictingthe amount of ink which will be required for a particular printing job.Heretofore, ink volume estimation has required a tedious trial and errorprocess and has been subject to error. This has made it necessary tostock excess amounts of ink in order to avoid shortages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide an inkmanagement system which permits the efficient management of ink.

In one aspect, this invention comprises a method for determining avolume of ink for an engraved cylinder, said method comprising the stepsof: (a) generating a composite cylinder layout of at least one image forsaid engraved cylinder; (b) generating a set of data corresponding tosaid composite cylinder layout; and (c) using said set of data todetermine said volume of ink.

An object of this invention is to provide a system or method fordetermining a volume of ink for an engraved cylinder.

Another object of this invention is to provide a system or method ofdetermining said ink volume in response to at least one input parameter,such as cell width, cell wall size, channel width, engraving width,taper requirements, circumferential linearization, balance correction,edge enhancement level, screen and screen angle.

Still another object is to provide a system or method for determiningthe amount of ink consumed by an engraved cylinder during printing.

These advantages and others may be more readily understood in connectionwith the following specification, claims and drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a general schematic view of the system and method according toan embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a cylinder surface showing a pluralityof cells, cell walls and highlight cells;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of AC and DC signals for controllingan engraving stylus on an engraving head of an engraver and theengraving movement which results therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the cylinder showing an engraving stylusand associated angle cut into the cylinder;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between a voltage supplied tothe engraving head and the cell width;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing a cell wall width;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the length and thedepth of a cell with a channel; and

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the length and thedepth of a cell without a channel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A method of predicting ink consumption in accordance with the presentinvention utilizes a series of steps as illustrated generally in FIG. 1.The object is to print N copies of an original image or of a compositeimage comprised of multiple images. The data defining an original orcomposite image may be generated and downloaded from a computer or itcould be scanned, for example, from a graphic master or other mediumcapable of being scanned.

The method of the invention begins by inputting the image data asindicated by block 24 of FIG. 1. The image data could be a group offiles representing multiple images, each obtained from a differentsource. Alternatively, the images could be a single file of scanned orcomputer generated image data.

After the files of image data have been read, a composite cylinderlayout (block 25) is composed. This cylinder layout identifies theportion of each image which is to be engraved on the cylinder surfaceand specifies the exact geometric placement of that portion of eachimage. In order to compose the composite cylinder layout, one or more ofa plurality of engraving parameters (not shown) may be input into thecomputer. For example, the parameters of engraving width, taperrequirements, circumferential linearization, balance correction, edgeenhancement level, screen and screen angle, as well as others, may beinput into the computer. These parameters affect the size and placementof engraved cells on the cylinder. For example, taper andcircumferential linearization adjust engraved cells to eliminate visualdiscontinuities caused by spiral engraving. The edge enhancement levelparameters provide a method to improve contrast at line or image edges.The screen and screen angle generally describe cell population and cellshape.

The computer comprises means for considering each of the aboveparameters, as well as others, and for adjusting the densities ofcertain cells accordingly.

After the cylinder layout and engraving parameters are specified, cellshape parameters are input (block 26) which complete the definition ofan engrave job. A histogram representing the image densities of each ofthe pixels may then be generated for the engrave job. Density values fora conventional electronic engraving machine are generally proportionallo the voltages supplied to the engraving head. As discussed in detailbelow, an electronic engraving machine is driven by a video signal andan AC signal. The video signal is generally adjusted so as to beproportional to a desired printing density. The density values used tocompile the histogram are used for the engraving operation, as well asused to predict ink volume.

In block 28, the computer prepares a table of data representing ahistogram of density values associated with the composite cylinderlayout. Preferably the densities are digitized and set to one or anotherof a predetermined number of discrete values. A vector of length 1025has been found to be convenient for this purpose. Each time theexamination indicates a particular density value, the appropriate vectorposition is adjusted. This process continues until a histogram or tableof densities is generated for the entire cylinder.

After the density table has been generated, the computer begins readingthe tabulated density values (block 29) for calculation of associatedcell volumes. Calculations are performed at blocks 31 and 32 todetermine the volumes of each of the different cell sizes correspondingto the different density levels. Each computed cell volume is multipliedby the number of occurrences of that cell volume to obtain a cell volumesubtotal (block 33). The subtotals are accumulated (for example, atblock 34) in order to read the total volume of all engraved cells.

The cell volume calculations use the setup parameters generated at block26 to define the cell shape and geometry. These same parameters are usedfor controlling the engraving process (blocks 40-47) substantially asshown and describe in . .Ser. No. 08/022,127.!. .Iadd.U.S. Pat. No.5,424,845 .Iaddend.which is assigned to the same assignee as the presentinvention and which is herein incorporated by reference and made a parthereof. In short, a highlight voltage and cell width, a shadow voltageand cell width and a stylus angle are selected and input by theoperator. The voltage and cell width corresponding to a shadow cell anda highlight cell may define a linear or non-linear function. In theembodiment being described, the voltage and cell width define agenerally linear function, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, given the voltage,for example, of a shadow cell, the computer determines the width of thatshadow cell.

A series of engraved shadow cells 70 and highlight cells 76 may beengraved on the surface of a cylinder 10 as generally illustrated inFIG. 2. Shadow cells 70 may be connected by channels 72, the width ofwhich may be adjusted by adjusting the video signal used for driving theengraving tool. If the shadow cells are not connected by a channel, thedistance between cells in the direction of engraving is the verticalcell spacing 71, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an engraving tool 20 oscillates into cuttingcontact with cylinder 10 under control of a driving signal which is thesum of a video signal 82 and an AC signal 80. Video signal 82 may have awhite level value 86 such that the tip of the engraving tool never getscloser to cylinder 10 than a predetermined white depth WD. When thevideo signal 82 drops to the value 88, the engraver engraves full depthshadow cells having a maximum depth BD. The tool then engraves a contour84 having a minimum depth CD which is the channel depth. When the videosignal shifts upwardly to a value 90, the engraver engraves highlightcells having a maximum depth HD. Reference may be made to . .applicationSer. No. 08/022,127.!. .Iadd.U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,845 .Iaddend.forequations which relate white depth and shadow depth voltages to adesired channel depth in a desired highlight depth.

The preferred embodiment of this invention utilizes a minimum diagonalwall size 49 (FIG. 6) as a setup parameter. The minimum diagonal wallsize 49 is the perpendicular distance between tangent lines to adjacentcell walls.

The cell shape description mentioned above may be fine tuned if desired.For example, the channel width associated with a cell shape descriptionmay be entered in which case the computer recalculates or adjusts theminimum diagonal wall size 49. It is to be noted that a channel width ofzero, indicating no channel, may be entered into the computer. In thisevent, a vertical spacing between cells may be entered into thecomputer, and again, the computer will recalculate or adjust the minimumdiagonal wall size. Therefore, it is significant to note that thecomputer comprises means for tuning the cell shape description toaccommodate various inputs and parameters which may affect cell shape,geometry, and volume.

All input parameters and fine tuning inputs may be shown on a monitor(not shown) which is operatively coupled to the computer.

The volumes of the individual cell types are calculated by a processindicated by decision point 30 and blocks 31 and 32. The processinvolves calculating the cross-sectional area of the cell as a functionof cell location (e.g. position along the cell) and then integrating thearea along the length of the cell in the direction of the engravingtrack. The integration may be carried out in closed form (as defined bythe equations below) or performed numerically. If the integration iscarried out numerically, then a check is made immediately following eachpass through the integration loop to determine whether integration ofthe cell has been completed.

In the preferred embodiment, the volume for a cell is determined usingone or the other of equations (1) and (2) below. It is to be noted thatthe cell volume will differ for a cell with a channel as opposed to acell without a channel.

The volume of a cell with a channel is given by the equation: ##EQU1## θis the stylus tip angle. s is screen in lines/micron.

b is the length of the side of a normal cell in microns. ##EQU2## P isthe period of the sine wave mentioned earlier herein. φ is the screenangle.

D₀ =depth of channel in microns.

D₁ =total depth the stylus travels into copper.

For ease of illustration, FIG. 7 graphically illustrates the variablesP, D₀, and D₁ for a cell with a channel.

The volume of a cell without a channel is given by the equation:##EQU3## b, s, θ and P are as defined above. ##EQU4## L is the celllength in direction of cutting. D₁ is the depth of the cell,

D₀ is the amplitude of the sine wave (to be derived from user inputs)minus the depth of the cell.

For ease of illustration, FIG. 8 graphically illustrates the variablesP, L, D₀ and D₁ for a cell without a channel.

After integration of the first cell size has been completed, the processproceeds to select the next cell size and repeats the integrationprocess. After completion of each volume computation, a check is made(Point 35) to determine whether the volumes of all cell sizes have beendetermined. If so, then the process proceeds to block 36 for acalculation of the volume of ink required for a single impression. Here,the total computed cell volume is multiplied by a release factor R. Therelease factor accounts for factors, such as the absorption propertiesof the printing substrate, the viscosity of the ink, speed of the pressand the like. This ink volume is multiplied by the number of impressionsN (block 37) to obtain the required volume of ink for an entire pressrun. This completes the prediction of ink consumption and usage at block38. In the embodiment being described, the ink volume may then be usedto provide an estimate of the amount of ink to fill an ink well of theprinter (block 39).

If the integration is carried out numerically, then it is mostconvenient to perform the integration over a one-half wavelengthdistance and thereafter double the result. The numerical integrationproceeds by moving from station-to-station along a profile of FIG. 3 andcalculating the cross-sectional area at each station. This area ismultiplied by the incremental distance between computing positions toobtain an incremental volume.

A typical stylus 20 for use in the practice of this invention isillustrated in phantom outline in FIGS. 3 and 4. The tip of stylus 20has two bevelled faces which produce a tip angle θ, which may be about120°. The stylus cuts a corresponding angular channel in the surface. Itwill be appreciated that FIG. 4 is a view taken perpendicular to theview of FIG. 3. Thus, the walls have a sinusoidal profile when viewed ina direction perpendicular to the engraving direction and conform to theshape of the engraving tip when viewed in a direction parallel to thedirection of engraving.

Each of the depressions illustrated in FIG. 3 represents an engravedprinting cell. Thus the Figure depicts three deep printing cellsinterconnected by two channels and two shallower printing cells whichare not connected to any other cell. The volume of any printing cell maybe computed by calculating the cross-sectional area as viewed in FIG. 4and integrating that area over a one wavelength distance in thedirection of engraving (e.g. parallel to engraving tracks 30). In thespecial case where stylus 20 has a tip configuration as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the cross-sectional area of the cut is given by theexpression:

    S=d.sup.2 * tan (θ/2)

The wavelength distance is given by the period of the sine wave asdefined above. At each computing interval, it is necessary to check thesign of d to assure that it has a positive value. Whenever d is found tohave a negative value, the computer forces it to a value of zero.

Advantageously, this invention provides an ink management system andprinting method for precisely determining the amount of ink required bya print cylinder, such as a gravure cylinder having a plurality ofcells.

It is to be noted that the video data generated at block 28 may beapplied to an engraving controller (not shown) for generation of anengraving signal at block 40. This engraving signal is used to positionan engraving stylus, as described in detail below. The engraving stylusengraves a cell (block 44) and continues engraving cells until the lastcell has been engraved (decision point 46).

While the method herein described, and the form of apparatus forcarrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments ofthis invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedto this precise method and form of apparatus, and that changes may bemade in either without departing from the scope of the invention, whichis defined in the appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining a volume of ink for anengraved cylinder, said method comprising the steps of:(a) generating acomposite cylinder layout of at least one image for said engravedcylinder; (b) generating a set of data corresponding to said compositecylinder layout; and (c) using said set of data .Iadd.and at least oneengraving parameter .Iaddend.to determine said volume of ink.
 2. Themethod as recited in claim 1 wherein said generating step (a) furthercomprises the steps of:(a)(i) inputting said at least one image into aprocessor; (a)(ii) composing said composite cylinder layout of said atleast one image using said processor.
 3. The method as recited in claim1 wherein said composite cylinder layout comprises a plurality ofimages; said generating step (a) further comprising the steps of:(a)(i)inputting said plurality of images into a processor; (a)(ii) composingsaid composite cylinder layout of said plurality of images using saidprocessor.
 4. . .The method as recited in claim 2 wherein.!. .Iadd.Amethod for determining a volume of ink for an engraved cylinder, saidmethod comprising the steps of:(a) generating a composite cylinderlayout of at least one image for said engraved cylinder; (b) generatinga set of data corresponding to said composite cylinder layout; and (c)using said set of data to determine said volume of ink; said generatingstep (a) further comprising the steps of:(a)(i) inputting said at leastone image into a processor; (a)(ii) composing said composite cylinderlayout of said at least one image using said processor; .Iaddend. saidstep (a)(i) further . .comprises.!. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.the stepof:(a)(i)(1) inputting at least one engraving parameter.
 5. The methodas recited in claim 4 wherein said at least one engraving parametercomprises at least one of the following: engraving width, taper,circumferential linearization, balance correction, edge enhancement,density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, and screen angle.
 6. ..The method as recited in claim 1 wherein.!. .Iadd.A method fordetermining a volume of ink for an engraved cylinder, said methodcomprising the steps of:(a) generating a composite cylinder layout of atleast one image for said engraved cylinder; (b) generating a set of datacorresponding to said composite cylinder layout; and (c) using said setof data to determine said volume of ink; .Iaddend. said step (a) further. .comprises.!. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.the step of:(a)(i) generatinga histogram corresponding to densities associated with at least aportion of . .the.!. engraved cells on said engraved cylinder.
 7. . .Themethod as recited in claim 1 wherein.!. .Iadd.A method for determining avolume of ink for an engraved cylinder, said method comprising the stepsof:(a) generating a composite cylinder layout of at least one image forsaid engraved cylinder; (b) generating a set of data corresponding tosaid composite cylinder layout; and (c) using said set of data todetermine said volume of ink; .Iaddend. said step (b) further ..comprises.!. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.the step of:(b)(i) determining acell description using call shape parameters.
 8. The method as recitedin claim 5 wherein said step (a) further comprises the step of:(a)(i)generating a histogram corresponding to densities associated with atleast a portion of engraved cells on said engraved cylinder.
 9. Themethod as recited in claim 7 wherein said cell shape parameters compriseat least one of the following: channel width, highlight cell width, wallsize, vertical spacing, channel voltage, highlight voltage, shadowvoltage, shadow cell width, and stylus angle.
 10. . .The method asrecited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises the step of:.!..Iadd.A method for determining a volume of ink for an engraved cylinder,said method comprising the steps of:(a) generating a composite cylinderlayout of at least one image for said engraved cylinder; (b) generatinga set of data corresponding to said composite cylinder layout; (c) usingsaid set of data to determine said volume of ink; and .Iaddend. (d)determining an amount of ink to be used when making a number of copies,said determining step further comprising the steps of:inputting arelease factor into a processor; inputting said number of copies intosaid processor.
 11. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said step(b) further comprises the step of:tuning said cell description inconsideration of whether said cell description comprises a channel. 12.The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said step (b) further comprisesthe step of:inputting a minimum diagonal wall size into a processor. 13.The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said step (b) further comprisesthe step of:inputting a vertical cell spacing into a processor.
 14. ..The method as recited in claim 1 wherein.!. .Iadd.A method fordetermining a volume of ink for an engraved cylinder, said methodcomprising the steps of:(a) generating a composite cylinder layout of atleast one image for said engraved cylinder; (b) generating a set of datacorresponding to said composite cylinder layout; and (c) using said setof data to determine said volume of ink; .Iaddend. said step (c) further. .comprises.!. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.the step of:(c)(i) using thefollowing equation to determine said ink volume if a cell descriptioncomprises a channel: ##EQU5## θ is a stylus tip angle; s is screen inlines/micron; b is a length of a side of a normal cell in microns;##EQU6## P is the period of the sine wave; φ is a screen angle; D₀=depth of channel in microns; and D₁ =total depth a stylus travels intocopper.
 15. . .The method as recited in claim 1 wherein.!. .Iadd.Amethod for determining a volume of ink for an engraved cylinder, saidmethod comprising the steps of:(a) generating a composite cylinderlayout of at least one image for said engraved cylinder; (b) generatinga set of data corresponding to said composite cylinder layout; and (c)using said set of data to determine said volume of ink; .Iaddend. saidstep (c) further . .comprises.!. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.the stepof:(c)(i) using the following equation to determine said ink volume if acell description does not comprise a channel: ##EQU7## θ is a stylus tipangle; s is screen in lines/micron; b is a length of the side of anormal cell in microns; ##EQU8## P is the period of the sine wave;.Iadd.herein; .Iaddend. ##EQU9## φ is a screen angle; L is.Iadd..Iaddend.a cell length in direction of cutting; D₁ is a depth of acell; and D₀ is an amplitude of a sine wave (to be derived from userinputs) minus the depth of the cell.
 16. The method as recited in claim1 wherein said method further comprises the step of:applying said volumeof ink from said engraved cylinder to a substrate.
 17. A method forpredicting ink usage by an engraved cylinder on a printing press duringa printing process, said method comprising the steps of:(a) determiningink volume required by at least a portion of the engraved cylinderduring the printing process; and (b) supplying a quantity of ink to theprinting press . .in an amount corresponding to said ink volume.!.; saiddetermining step further comprising the steps of:generating a compositecylinder layout of at least one image for said engraved cylinder;generating a set of data corresponding to said composite cylinder layout.Iadd.without simultaneously rotatably scanning said at least oneimage.Iaddend.; and using said set of data to determine a volume of inkused by said engraved cylinder during said printing process.
 18. Amethod for predicting ink usage by an engraved cylinder on a printingpress during a printing process, said printing press comprising an inkwell, said method comprising the steps of:(a) determining ink volumerequired by at least a portion of the engraved cylinder . .during theprinting process.!.; .Iadd.using at least one input parameter andwithout simultaneously rotatably scanning an input image correspondingto said portion of the engraved cylinder.Iaddend.; (b) supplying aquantity of ink to the printing press in an amount corresponding to saidink volume; and (c) filling said ink well with said quantity of ink. 19.The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said . .generating step (a).!..Iadd.method .Iaddend.further comprises the steps of:(a)(i) inputtingsaid at least one image into a processor; (a)(ii) composing saidcomposite cylinder layout of said at least one image using saidprocessor.
 20. A method for predicting ink usage by an engraved cylinderon a printing press during a printing process, said method comprisingthe steps of:(a) determining ink volume required by at least a portionof the engraved cylinder during the printing process; and (b) supplyinga quantity of ink to the printing press in an amount corresponding tosaid ink volume; . .ps.!. said step . .(a)(i).!. .Iadd.(a).Iaddend.further comprises the step of:. .(a)(i)(1).!. .Iadd.(a)(i).Iaddend.inputting at least one engraving parameter.
 21. The method asrecited in claim 20 wherein said at least one engraving parametercomprises at least one of the following: engraving width, taper,circumferential linearization, balance correction, edge enhancement,density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, and screen angle.
 22. Amethod for predicting ink usage by an engraved cylinder on a printingpress during a printing process, said method comprising the steps of:(a)determining ink volume required by at least a portion of the engravedcylinder during the printing process; and (b) supplying a quantity ofink to the printing press in an amount corresponding to said ink volume;said step (a) further comprising the step of:(a)(i) generating ahistogram corresponding to densities associated with at least a portionof cells on said engraved cylinder.
 23. A method for predicting inkusage by an engraved cylinder on a printing press during a printingprocess, said method comprising the steps of:(a) determining ink volumerequired by at least a portion of the engraved cylinder during theprinting process; and (b) supplying a quantity of ink to the printingpress in an amount corresponding to said ink volume; said . .step (b).!..Iadd.method .Iaddend.further comprises the step of:(b)(i) determining acell description using cell shape parameters.
 24. The method as recitedin claim 23 wherein said cell shape parameters comprise at least one orthe following: channel width, highlight cell width, wall size, verticalspacing, channel voltage, highlight voltage, shadow voltage, shadow cellwidth, and stylus angle.
 25. The method as recited in claim 23 whereinsaid step (b) further comprises the step of:tuning said cell descriptionin consideration of whether said cell description comprises a channel.26. The method as recited in claim 23 wherein said method furthercomprises the step of:inputting a minimum diagonal wall size.
 27. Themethod as recited . .n.!. .Iadd.in .Iaddend.claim 23 wherein said methodfurther comprises the step of:inputting a vertical cell spacing.
 28. Themethod as recited in claim 17 wherein said method further comprises thestep of:using the following equation to determine said ink volume if acell description comprises a channel: ##EQU10## θ is a stylus tip angle;s is screen in lines/micron; b is a length of a side of a normal cell inmicrons; ##EQU11## P is a period or a sine wave; φ is a screen angle; D₀=depth of channel in microns; and D₁ =total depth a stylus travels intocopper.
 29. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said using stepfurther comprises the step of:using the following equation to determinesaid ink volume if . .said.!. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.cell description does notcomprise a channel: ##EQU12## θ is a stylus lip angle; s is screen inlines/micron; b is a length of a side of a normal cell in microns;##EQU13## P is a period of . .the.!. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.sine wave;##EQU14## L is a cell length in direction of cutting; D₁ is a depth of acell; and D₀ is a amplitude of a sine wave (to be derived from userinputs) minus the depth of the cell.
 30. A method of reproducing animage comprising the steps of:generating an engraving signalrepresenting densities of a series of pixels associated with said image;rotating a printing cylinder about a cylindrical axis thereof;oscillating an engraving tool into engraving contact with said printingcylinder, along an engraving track, concomitantly with said rotating andunder control of an engraving head signal related to said engravingsignal such that said engraving tool engraves into a surface of saidprinting cylinder a series or cells along said engraving track andcorresponding to said pixels, each of said series of cells having amaximum depth corresponding to a density or its associated pixels;activating a processor to determine a cross-sectional area or any ofsaid series of cells at any cell location along a line extending in adirection along said engraving track; causing said processor tocalculate a total volume of all of said cells by integrating saidcross-sectional area along a length of said engraving track; mountingsaid printing cylinder on a printing press; applying ink to saidprinting cylinder in an amount given by an equation:

    A=VRN

where A=total amount of ink V=calculated total cell volume R=ink releasefactor N=number of copies to be printed; and using said printingcylinder to print N copies of said image.
 31. The method as recited inclaim 30 wherein V is determined by the steps of:(a) generating acomposite cylinder layout of at least one image for said engravedcylinder; (b) generating a set of data corresponding to said compositecylinder layout; and (c) using said set of data to determine said volumeof ink.
 32. The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said generatingstep (a) further comprises the steps of:(a)(i) inputting said at leastone image into said processor; (a)(ii) composing said composite cylinderlayout of said at least one image using said processor.
 33. The methodas recited in claim 32 wherein said step (a)(i) further comprises thestep of:(a)(i)(1) inputting at least one engraving parameter.
 34. Themethod as recited in claim 33 wherein said engraving parameter comprisesat least one of the following: engraving width, taper, circumferentiallinearization, balance correction, edge enhancement, density thresholdlevels, fast forward, screen, and screen angle.
 35. The method asrecited in claim 34 wherein said step (b) further comprises the stepof:(b)(i) determining a cell description using cell shape parameters.36. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein said cell shape parameterscomprise at least one of the following: channel width, highlight cellwidth, wall size, vertical spacing, channel voltage, highlight voltage,shadow voltage, shadow cell width, and stylus angle.
 37. The method asrecited in claim 36 wherein said step (b) further comprises the stepof:tuning said cell description in consideration of whether said celldescription comprises a channel.
 38. The method as recited in claim 35wherein said method further comprises the steps of:inputting a minimumdiagonal wall size into said processor.
 39. The method as recited inclaim 35 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:inputting avertical cell spacing into said processor.
 40. The method as recited inclaim 31 wherein said step (c) further comprises the step of:(c)(i)using the following equation to determine said ink volume if a celldescription comprises a channel: ##EQU15## θ is a stylus tip angle; s isscreen in lines/micron; b is a length of a side of a normal cell inmicrons; ##EQU16## P is a period of a sine wave; φ is a screen angle; D₀=depth of channel in microns; and D₁ =total depth a stylus travels intocopper.
 41. The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said step (c)further comprises the step of:(c)(i) using the following equation todetermine said ink volume if a cell description does not comprise achannel: ##EQU17## θ is a stylus tip angle; s is screen in lines/micron;b is a length of a side of a normal cell in microns; ##EQU18## P is aperiod of . .the.!. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.sine wave; .Iadd.mentioned earlierherein; .Iaddend. φ is a screen angle; ##EQU19## L is the cell length indirection of cutting; D₁ is a depth of a cell; and D₀ is . .a.!..Iadd.an .Iaddend.amplitude of a sine wave (to be derived from userinputs) minus the depth of the cell.
 42. A printing system comprising:aprinter having an ink well; an engraved cylinder rotatably mounted onsaid printer, said engraved cylinder having a plurality of cellsthereon; a computer; means located in said computer for determining anink volume required by at least a portion of the engraved cylinderduring a printing process .Iadd.and without simultaneously rotatablyscanning an input image corresponding to said portion of the engravedcylinder.Iaddend.; said means comprising generating means for generatinga set of data corresponding to a composite cylinder layout which isinput into said computer and also for using said set of data .Iadd.andat least one input parameter .Iaddend.to determine said ink volume inorder to manage ink filled in said ink well.
 43. The printing system asrecited in claim 42 wherein said generating means further comprisesreceiving means for receiving at least one input parameter, said inputparameter comprising at least one of the following: engraving width,taper, circumferential linearization, balance correction, edgeenhancement, density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, and screenangle.
 44. . .The printing system as recited in claim 43 wherein.!..Iadd.A printing system comprising:a printer having an ink well; anengraved cylinder rotatably mounted on said printer, said engravedcylinder having a plurality of cells thereon; a computer; means locatedin said computer for determining an ink volume required by at least aportion of the engraved cylinder during a printing process; said meanscomprising generating means for generating a set of data correspondingto a composite layout which is input into said computer and also forusing said set of data to determine said ink volume in order to managethe ink filled in said ink well; said generating means further comprisesreceiving means for receiving at least one input parameter, said inputparameter comprising at least one of the following; engraving width,taper, circumferential linearization, balance correction, edgeenhancement, density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, and screenangle; .Iaddend. said generating means further . .comprises.!..Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.means for tabulating densities associated witheach cell type and using said densities to determine said ink volume..Iadd.
 45. A system for managing ink comprising:input means forinputting at least one parameter associated with at least oneink-receiving area; and means for receiving image data for at least aportion of an image to be engraved; for determining densities associatedwith said image, said densities being determined without simultaneouslyrotatably scanning said at least a portion of said image to be engraved;and also for using said at least one parameter and said densities forfacilitating the management of ink. .Iaddend..Iadd.46. The system asrecited in claim 45 wherein said system further comprises: means fordetermining an amount of ink in response to both said at least oneparameter and said densities. .Iaddend..Iadd.47. The system as recitedin claim 46 wherein said amount of ink comprises a volume..Iaddend..Iadd.48. The method as recited in claim 46 wherein said methodfurther comprises the step of: using said at least one parameter andsaid densities for facilitating determining an amount of ink required bya printer. .Iaddend..Iadd.49. The system as recited in claim 45 whereinsaid means for generating comprises: a processor for composing a layoutof said at least one image. .Iaddend..Iadd.50. The system as recited inclaim 45 wherein said generating means comprises means for generating ahistogram corresponding to densities associated with at least a portionof said image. .Iaddend..Iadd.51. The system as recited in claim 45wherein said system further comprises means for determining an amount ofink to be used by a workpiece using said image data and said at leastone parameter. .Iaddend..Iadd.52. The system as recited in claim 51wherein said workpiece comprises a cylinder. .Iaddend..Iadd.53. A systemfor managing ink comprising:input means for inputting at least oneparameter; and means for receiving image data for at least a portion ofan image to be engraved; for determining densities associated with saidimage; and also for using said at least one parameter and said densitiesfor facilitating the management of ink; said means for receiving furthercomprising; means for determining a cell description using cell shapeparameters. .Iaddend..Iadd.54. The system as recited in claim 53 whereinsaid system further comprises: tuning means for tuning said celldescription using said at least one parameter. .Iaddend..Iadd.55. Thesystem as recited in claim 54 wherein said at least one parametercomprises at least one of the following: channel width, taper,circumferential linearization, balance correction, edge enhancement,density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, screen angle, highlightcell width, wall size, vertical spacing, channel voltage, highlightvoltage, channel depth, cell depth, cell length, shadow voltage, shadowcell width and/or stylus angle. .Iaddend..Iadd.56. A system for managingink comprising:input means for inputting at least one parameter; andmeans for receiving image data for at least a portion of an image to beengraved; for determining densities associated with said image; and alsofor using said at least one parameter and said densities forfacilitating the management of ink; said at least one parametercomprising at least one of the following; channel width, taper,circumferential linearization, balance correction, edge enhancement,density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, screen angle, highlightcell width, wall size, vertical spacing, channel voltage, highlightvoltage, channel depth, cell depth, cell length, shadow voltage, shadowcell width and/or stylus angle. .Iaddend..Iadd.57. A system for managingink comprising:input means for inputting at least one parameter; andmeans for receiving image data for at least a portion of an image to beengraved; for determining densities associated with said image; and alsofor using said at least one parameter and said densities forfacilitating the management of ink; said means for receiving uses thefollowing formula to determine an amount of ink: ##EQU20## θ is a stylustip angle; s is screen in lines/micron; b is a length of a side of anormal cell is microns; ##EQU21## P is the period of the sine wavementioned earlier herein; φ is a screen angle; D₀ =depth of channel inmicrons; and D₁ =total depth a stylus travels into copper..Iaddend..Iadd.58. A system for managing ink comprising:input means forinputting at least one parameter; and means for receiving image data forat least a portion of an image to be engraved; for determining densitiesassociated with said image; and also for using said at least oneparameter and said densities for facilitating the management of ink;said means for receiving uses the following formula to determine anamount of ink: ##EQU22## θ is a stylus tip angle; s is screen inlines/micron; b is a length of a side of a normal cell in microns;##EQU23## P is the period of the sine wave mentioned earlier herein;##EQU24## L is the cell length in direction of cutting; D₁ is a depth ofa cell; and D₀ is the amplitude of a sine wave (to be derived from userinputs) minus the depth of the cell. .Iaddend..Iadd.59. A method formanaging ink comprising the steps of:inputting at least one parameterassociated with an area for receiving ink; receiving image data for atleast a portion of an image to be engraved without simultaneouslyrotatably scanning said portion of said image to be engraved;determining densities associated with said image; and using said atleast one parameter and said densities for facilitating the managementof ink. .Iaddend..Iadd.60. The method as recited in claim 59 whereinsaid method further comprises the step of: determining an amount of inkin response to both said at least one parameter and said densities..Iaddend..Iadd.61. The method as recited in claim 59 wherein said methodfurther comprises the step of: composing a layout of said at least oneimage. .Iaddend..Iadd.62. The method as recited in claim 59 wherein saidmethod further comprises the step of:determining an amount of ink to beused by a workpiece using said image data and said at least oneparameter. .Iaddend..Iadd.63. The method as recited in claim 62 whereinsaid workpiece comprises a cylinder. .Iaddend..Iadd.64. A method formanaging ink comprising the steps of: inputting at least one parameter;receiving image data for at least a portion of an image to be engraved;determining densities associated with said image; using said at leastone parameter and said densities for facilitating the management of ink;and generating a histogram corresponding to densities associated withsaid at least a portion of said image. .Iaddend..Iadd.65. A method formanaging ink comprising the steps of: inputting at least one parameter;receiving image data for at least a portion of an image to be engraved;determining densities associated with said image; using said at leastone parameter and said densities for facilitating the management of ink;and determining a cell description using cell shape parameters..Iaddend..Iadd.
 6. The method as recited in claim 65 wherein said methodfurther comprises the step of:tuning said cell description using said atleast one parameter. .Iaddend..Iadd.67. The method as recited in claim66 wherein said method further comprises the step of: inputting at leastone parameter comprising at least one of the following: channel width,taper, circumferential linearization, balance correction, edgeenhancement, density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, screenangle, highlight cell width, wall size, vertical spacing, channelvoltage, highlight voltage, channel depth, cell depth, cell length,shadow voltage, shadow cell width and/or stylus angle..Iaddend..Iadd.68. A method for managing ink comprising the steps of:inputting at least one parameter; receiving image data for at least aportion of an image to be engraved; determining densities associatedwith said image; using said at least one parameter and said densitiesfor facilitating the management of ink; and inputting at least oneparameter comprising at least one of the following: channel width,taper, circumferential linearization, balance correction, edgeenhancement, density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, screenangle, highlight cell width, wall size, vertical spacing, channelvoltage, highlight voltage, channel depth, cell depth, cell length,shadow voltage, shadow cell width and/or stylus angle..Iaddend..Iadd.69. A method for managing ink comprising the stepsof:inputting at least one parameter; receiving image data for at least aportion of an image to be engraved; determining densities associatedwith said image; using said at least one parameter and said densitiesfor facilitating the management of ink; and using the following equationto determine an amount of ink: ##EQU25## θ is a stylus tip angle; s isscreen in lines/micron; b is a length of a side of a normal cell inmicrons; ##EQU26## P is the period of the sine wave mentioned earlierherein; φ is a screen angle; D₀ =depth of channel in microns; and D₁=total depth a stylus travels into copper. .Iaddend..Iadd.70. A methodfor managing ink comprising the steps of:inputting at least oneparameter; receiving image data for at least a portion of an image to beengraved; determining densities associated with said image; using saidat least one parameter and said densities for facilitating themanagement of ink; and using the following equation to determine anamount of ink; ##EQU27## θ is a stylus tip angle; s is screen inlines/micron; b is a length of a side of a normal cell in microns;##EQU28## P is the period of the sine wave mentioned earlier herein;##EQU29## L is the cell length in direction of cutting; D₁ is a depth ofa cell; and D₀ is the amplitude of a sine wave (to be derived from userinputs) minus the depth of the cell. .Iaddend..Iadd.71. An engravingsystem comprising:an engraver having an engraving head for engraving aworkpiece; and a computer coupled to said engraver for inputting atleast one parameter associated with an engraved area for receiving ink,for receiving image data for at least a portion of an image to beengraved without simultaneously rotatably scanning said portion of saidimage to be engraved; for determining densities associated with saidimage; and also for using said at least one parameter and said densitiesfor facilitating the management of ink. .Iaddend..Iadd.72. The engravingsystem as recited in claim 71 wherein said computer further comprises:means for determining an amount of ink in response to both said at leastone parameter and said densities. .Iaddend..Iadd.73. The engravingsystem as recited in claim 72 wherein said amount of ink comprises avolume of ink. .Iaddend..Iadd.74. The engraving system as recited inclaim 71 wherein said computer further comprises: a processor forcomposing a layout of said at least one image. .Iaddend..Iadd.75. Theengraving system as recited in claim 71 wherein said computer furthercomprises means for determining an amount of ink to be used by aworkpiece using said image data and said at least one parameter..Iaddend..Iadd.76. The engraving system as recited in claim 75 whereinsaid workpiece comprises a cylinder. .Iaddend..Iadd.77. An engravingsystem comprising:an engraver having an engraving head for engraving aworkpiece; and a computer coupled to said engraver for inputting atleast one parameter, for receiving image data for at least a portion ofan image to be engraved; for determining densities associated with saidimage; and also for using said at least one parameter and said densitiesfor facilitating the management of ink; said computer furthercomprising: generating means for generating a histogram corresponding todensities associated with at least a portion of said image..Iaddend..Iadd.78. The engraving system as recited in claim 77 whereinsaid generating means comprises: means for determining a celldescription using cell shape parameters. .Iaddend..Iadd.79. Theengraving system as recited in claim 78 wherein said computer furthercomprises: tuning means for tuning said cell description using said atleast one parameter. .Iaddend..Iadd.80. The engraving system as recitedin claim 79 wherein said at least one parameter comprises at least oneof the following; channel width, taper, circumferential linearization,balance correction, edge enhancement, density threshold levels, fastforward, screen, screen angle, highlight cell width, wall size, verticalspacing, channel voltage, highlight voltage, channel depth, cell depth,cell length, shadow voltage, shadow cell width and/or stylus angle..Iaddend..Iadd.81. An engraving system comprising:an engraver having anengraving head for engraving a workpiece; and a computer coupled to saidengraver for inputting at least one parameter, for receiving image datafor at least a portion of an image to be engraved; for determiningdensities associated with said image; and also for using said at leastone parameter and said densities for facilitating the management of ink;said at least one parameter comprises at least one of the following;channel width, taper, circumferential linearization, balance correction,edge enhancement, density threshold levels, fast forward, screen, screenangle, highlight cell width, wall size, vertical spacing, channelvoltage, highlight voltage, channel depth, cell depth, cell length,shadow voltage, shadow cell width and/or stylus angle..Iaddend..Iadd.82. An engraving system comprising:an engraver having anengraver head for engraving a workpiece; and a computer coupled to saidengraver for inputting at least one parameter, for receiving image datafor at least a portion of an image to be engraved; for determiningdensities associated with said image; and also for using said at leastone parameter and said densities for facilitating the management of ink;wherein said computer uses the following formula to determine an amountof ink: ##EQU30## θ is a stylus tip angle; s is screen in lines/microns;b is a length of a side of a normal cell in microns; ##EQU31## P is theperiod of the sine wave mentioned earlier herein; φ is a screen angle;D₀ =depth of channel in microns; and D₁ =total depth a stylus travelsinto copper. .Iaddend..Iadd.83. An engraving system comprising:anengraver having an engraver head for engraving a workpiece; and acomputer coupled to said engraver for inputting at least one parameter,for receiving image data for at least a portion of an image to beengraved; for determining densities associated with said image; and alsofor using said at least one parameter and said densities forfacilitating the management of ink; wherein said computer uses thefollowing formula to determine an amount of ink: ##EQU32## θ is a stylustip angle; s is screen in lines/micron; b is a length of a side of anormal cell in microns; ##EQU33## P is the period of the sine wavementioned earlier herein; ##EQU34## L is the cell length in direction ofcutting; _(D) is a depth of a cell; and D₀ is the amplitude of a sinewave (to be derived from user inputs) minus the depth of the cell..Iaddend.